Enrico Caruso of Independence Township has two national citizenships, two law degrees, and two licenses to practice law ? in the U.S. and Canada.
‘I love the Red Wings, but I’m a diehard (Toronto Maple) Leafs fan, too,? he said. ‘I love America, and Canada as well.?
He was born in New York and raised in Toronto, Canada. He moved to the Clarkston area 15 years ago with his wife Kathryn of Independence Township, since divorced. He now lives in the Oakhurst community.
His dual citizenship makes him better at his job as an immigration attorney. He represents clients on both sides of the border, from individuals to billion-dollar multinational corporations.
‘It’s a lot of fun,? he said.
Windsor, Canada, and Detroit still enjoy a close relationship, even since terrorist attacks on New York City on Sept. 11, 2001.
Security measures enacted since then have increased lines and inconvenience, rightfully so, he said, but Americans and Canadians still cross everyday for personal and business reasons.
‘Snowbirds ? Canadians who live in Florida during the winter,? Caruso said. ‘There are quite a few of them.?
He works with the travelers to make sure proper exemptions are filed with the IRS, to avoid double taxation. Within the next couple years, travelers will need new passports featuring magnetic bars, which will be scanned by border officers.
Passports will be scanned into computer databases in both directions, so visitors length of stay will be recorded.
Previously, entry time would be recorded, but not exit. This can impact snowbirds who travel and stay in Florida several years in a row ? it could result in taxation by America as well as Canada.
‘It’s very important that they file the proper exemptions,? he said. ‘It requires proper planning.?
Caruso has recently taken part in national lobbying efforts for immigration reform.
‘The system is broken,? he said.
National leaders have been allowing concerns about illegal immigration to impact decisions on legal immigration. Legal immigration is important to America’s economy, especially close to the Canadian border, he said.
Under current regulations, immigration is controlled through a visa system, which is strictly regulated and set by quotas. American companies can sponsor foreign workers for immigration only if advertised positions go unfilled by Americans. Pay must be at market rates, he said.
The quota is too low, so American companies can’t fill the positions they need, he said.
‘The quota system is a hot topic,? he said. ‘If companies can’t bring in the people they need, they’re going to move their operation overseas ? they’re going to offshore it.?
This year April-October, 65,000 visas are available. Two days after registration began, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services received about 155,000 applications.
‘Then they shut the door,? he said.
Legal immigration is the opposite of outsourcing, he said.
‘It helps the economies of both,? he said. ‘We’re trying to bring people in who would benefit the economy, not take jobs away from Americans.?
Canada welcomes these workers, he said.
‘We’re losing skilled people who could help and bolster our workforce,? he said.
Reform of illegal-immigration policies is also important, he said.
‘There are 12 million illegal immigrants living in the shadows ? in a shadow economy,? he said. ‘We want them to come out.?
He teaches MBA and undergraduate courses in strategy, organizational management, leadership, labor and human resources, marketing, business, and law at University of Detroit-Mercy.
‘I enjoy teaching,? he said.
Caruso’s children, Jessica and Ross, students at Everest Academy in Clarkston, also have dual citizenship.
‘It allows us to go back and forth quickly,? he said.